# Elderly Outnumber Children in Japan Prefectures

> Japan's elderly now outnumber children in nearly all prefectures, signaling a graying population trend.
- Title: Elderly Outnumber Children in Japan Prefectures · Nikkei Asia
- Summary: Japan's elderly now outnumber children in nearly all prefectures, signaling a graying population trend. Japan's share of children in population could drop…
- Keywords: japan, prefecture, elderly, children, demography, population, news, business, world, Outnumber, Prefectures, Nikkei Asia
- Source: Nikkei Asia — https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/demography/elderly-outnumber-children-in-nearly-all-japan-prefectures
- Published: 2026-10-05T20:42:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, prefecture, elderly, children, demography, population, news, business, world
## Japan's Census Data
Almost every prefecture in Japan has more elderly residents than young children according to the latest census data.
## Demographic Shift
The share of children in Japan's population could fall below 10% by 2030, indicating a rapidly aging society.
## Population Trend
Japan's population has been declining for 42 years, with the number of births rising for the first time in 11 years.
## Graying Population
This demographic shift signals a graying population, with elderly residents outnumbering children in nearly all prefectures.
## Future Projection
By 2030, Japan's share of children in the population is projected to drop below 10%, deepening the aging crisis.
## Key takeaway

Japan's share of children in population could drop below 10% by 2030, with elderly outnumbering children in nearly all prefectures.